Shuttle Astronaut Leland Melvin - Public Program

When:

Saturday, February 1, 2014 -

2:30pm to 4:00pm

What:

Lecture / Presentation

Special Event

Location:

William M. Allen Theater

Leland Melvin, a veteran space shuttle astronaut, former NFL football player and current associate administrator of NASA's education programs, will deliver a family-friendly presentation at The Museum of Flight on Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. Melvin flew on two shuttle missions, and is responsible for the development and implementation of NASA's education programs. With his engaging and friendly style, Melvin has spoken to thousands of students to inspire interest in science and technology and raise public awareness about NASA goals and missions. His Feb. 1 program is geared to middle school students and parents.

Melvin will be at the Museum all day participating in the annual Michael P. Anderson Memorial Aerospace Program, which brings together Washington state middle school students on the first Saturday in February to be mentored by aerospace professionals. Mentors include Alaska Airlines Pilots, military aviators, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Tuskegee Airmen and Museum of Flight staff.

This program is free for Museum Members and free with daily Admission to the Museum of Flight.

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About Leland Melvin:

Selected by NASA JSC in June 1998, Mr. Melvin reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques. Mr. Melvin has served the Astronaut Office Space Station Operations Branch, the Education Department at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C, and the Robotics Branch of the Astronaut Office. As co-manager of NASA's Educator Astronaut Program, Leland Melvin traveled across the country, engaging thousands of students and teachers in the excitement of space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A veteran of two space flights, STS-122 in 2008, and STS-129 in 2009, Leland Melvin has logged over 565 hours in space.

In October 2010, Melvin was named as associate administrator for the Office of Education. As associate administrator, Melvin is responsible for the development and implementation of NASAs education programs that inspire interest in science and technology and raise public awareness about NASA goals and missions.

STS-122 Atlantis (February 7-20, 2008) was the 24th Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission highlight was the delivery and installation of the European Space Agencys Columbus Laboratory. It took three spacewalks by crew members to prepare the Columbus Laboratory for its scientific work, and to replace an expended nitrogen tank on the Stations P-1 Truss. STS-122 was also a crew replacement mission, delivering Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, ESA Astronaut Lopold Eyharts, and returning home with Expedition-16 Flight Engineer, NASA Astronaut Daniel Tani. The STS-122 mission was accomplished in 12 days, 18 hours, 21 minutes and 40 seconds, and traveled 5,296,832 statute miles in 203 Earth orbits.

STS-129 (November 16-29, 2009) was the 31st shuttle flight to the International Space Station. During the mission the crew delivered two Express Logistics Carriers (ELC racks) to the International Space Station, about 30,000 pounds of replacement parts for systems that provide power to the station, keep it from overheating, and maintain proper orientation in space. The mission also featured three spacewalks. The STS-129 mission was completed in 10 days, 19 hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds, traveling 4.5 million miles in 171 orbits, and returned to Earth bringing back with them NASA Astronaut, Nicole Stott, following her tour of duty aboard the Space Station.